Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham has urged key U.S. leaders, including former President Donald J. Trump, Senator Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, to launch a joint investigation to locate and bring home the remains of Lieutenant Colonel George A. Davis Jr. Davis, a decorated World War II and Korean War veteran, went missing in action 73 years ago.
Honoring a Hero at the New Texas State Veterans Cemetery
This year, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) will inaugurate the fifth Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Lubbock, Texas. To mark this historic event, they plan to hold a special interment ceremony for Colonel Davis. Since his family resides in Lubbock, this effort seeks to provide a fitting tribute to his bravery and sacrifice.
“As Texas Land Commissioner and Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Land Board, I am responsible for serving the brave men and women who have valiantly defended our nation,” said Dr. Buckingham. “Colonel Davis served with incredible distinction, earning multiple military honors during World War II and sacrificing his life during the Korean War. After 73 long years, it is time to bring him home.”
Colonel Davis: A Legacy of Bravery
Lieutenant Colonel George A. Davis Jr. started his military career in March 1942 when he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. In World War II, he flew an astonishing 266 combat missions and accumulated 705 combat hours. His acts of heroism earned him several prestigious awards, including the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and nine Air Medals.
During the Korean War, Davis commanded the 334th Fire-Interceptor Squadron, training young pilots while engaging in dangerous air-to-air combat. His fearless leadership earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, and he became widely recognized as the Korean War’s “ace of aces.”
On February 10, 1952, Davis was shot down while defending a group of F-84 Thunderjets on a mission over North Korea. He was officially declared missing in action and later presumed dead. For his exceptional bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Mystery Surrounding Colonel Davis’s Remains
There has been ongoing speculation about the whereabouts of Colonel Davis’s remains. Reports suggest that the Chinese military may have recovered his body but never returned it to the United States. Additionally, there are claims that his dog tag and remains might be displayed in a Korean War Museum in Mainland China.
Commissioner Buckingham, addressing these concerns in her letter, stated:
“These rumors are extremely problematic, and if true, the flagrant disrespect shown to Colonel Davis is unacceptable. I’m calling on the United States to use all diplomatic means to demand the Chinese government permit U.S. investigators to explore the validity of these claims immediately. Please help the loved ones of Lieutenant Colonel Davis finally find closure and allow us to provide him a dignified resting place where the free men and women of our country can pay their respects to a hero who defended the freedoms we hold dear.”
A Call for Action
Dr. Buckingham’s appeal highlights the need for a serious investigation into the fate of Colonel Davis’s remains. She urges U.S. officials to take diplomatic action and ensure that his legacy is honored with the respect it deserves. Bringing Colonel Davis home would be a powerful tribute to his courage and sacrifice, offering his family and the nation a chance to pay their final respects.
